Gophers women's hockey coach Frost shrugs off dynasty talk

DURHAM, N.H. – Brad Frost has never been comfortable with the whole dynasty discussion.

Before the Gophers left for the Women's Frozen Four last week, the longtime coach gave an extended interview, speaking candidly on several topics. When the d-word arose, he shifted in his chair, measuring his words.

His office walls are decorated with customized posters, commemorating the team's NCAA titles in 2012, 2013 and 2015. The Gophers added another one Sunday, knocking off previously undefeated Boston College, so Frost better have his interior decorator on speed dial.

But he will leave the dynasty talk for others.

"As quickly as a program ascends to the top, you can be on the bottom the next year," he said.

The Gophers will face some real challenges staying on top next season. This year's championship might not have happened without Amanda Kessel's return from a two-year concussion absence.

With her blend of speed, finesse and finishing ability, Kessel is a rare talent who racked up 101 points as a junior and finished her abbreviated senior season with 11 goals and six assists — in 13 games.

Frost compared her February return to "getting a slugger at the trade deadline in baseball."

Fellow senior Hannah Brandt is a three-time first-team All-America who finished tied for second on the NCAA's all-time points list (285). For the past four years, she's been a big part of the team's heart and soul.

A Wisconsin-based reporter asked Brandt if Sunday felt like the end of an era.

"I don't think so," she said. "I mean, it'll be different for me next year, but I think this team's going to be the same. They expect to win every game, and I don't see any difference. I think they're going to keep winning."

With Kessel and Brandt departing, junior Dani Cameranesi and freshman Sarah Potomak will be counted on even more heavily next season.

Cameranesi had 33 goals and 35 assists this season, leading the WCHA with 68 points. Potomak had 15 goals and 39 assists and was named national rookie of the year, as well as the Most Outstanding Player at the Frozen Four.

The 18-year-old Potomak, one of the top recruits from Canada last year, overcame a second-half slump and thrived in the NCAA tournament, playing on the top line with Brandt and the 24-year-old Kessel.

"[Potomak] always wants to learn," Kessel said. "I think she's already a great player, and in a couple more years, she's going to be even more dangerous."

The Gophers will need goal scorers to continue fending off other top teams, especially Wisconsin. That rivalry changed this season. The Gophers were 18-0-2 against the Badgers over the previous five years, but the margin turned razor thin.

They split the season series 3-3 and went to overtime three times. Potomak finally finished Wisconsin with an overtime goal in Friday's NCAA semifinals.

But the Badgers were a young team. Goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens, who set an NCAA record with 21 shutouts, was a junior. Their top line — Sam Cogan (freshman), Emily Clark (sophomore), Annie Pankowski (sophomore) — were all underclassmen.

The Gophers have far bigger holes to fill. Besides Kessel and Brandt, they must replace Milica McMillen, whose 44 goals were the second-most for a Gophers defenseman in program history. Junior Lee Stecklein, who teamed with Kessel on the 2014 U.S. Olympic Team, will be back to anchor the defensive corps.

"This team and this program are about a lot more than individual players," Stecklein said. "We're obviously losing a ton of talent, and we have to find a way to regroup each year. It's always fun, but I'm going to miss those seniors."

The biggest question might be goaltender. When Noora Raty graduated three years ago, the Gophers turned to Amanda Leveille, an understated backup from Kingston, Ontario. Leveille had immediate success as a sophomore and turned into a dominant force her final two postseasons.

Now, with Leveille graduating, it's uncertain who will fill her pads. Her primary backup, Sidney Peters, will be a junior. She will be competing with incoming freshman Serena D'Angelo, a top recruit from Stoney Creek, Ontario.

On Sunday, the Gophers weren't focused on next season. They were too busy going through their near-annual ritual of taking selfies with the NCAA championship trophy.

Dynasty? It doesn't matter what people call it.

"When this eventually ends," Frost said, "we'll be able to look back on it and say it was one heck of a run."

Joe Christensen • 612-673-7844